No. 6 Iowa State slips past No. 2 UH in late surge

Cougars led late but couldn't hold off Cyclones' 17-4 run in final 7 minutes

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The University of Houston Cougars were seemingly in control of their matchup with No. 6 Iowa State, but the Cyclones mounted a late 17-4 run over the final seven minutes to slip past the No. 2 ranked Cougars in a close game.

Why it matters

This was a highly anticipated matchup between two top-10 teams in college basketball, with the Cougars looking to solidify their status as an elite program and the Cyclones seeking a signature win over a top-ranked opponent.

The details

Houston had built a lead late in the game, but Iowa State stormed back with a 17-4 run in the final seven minutes to pull out the victory. The Cyclones were led by their star player, who made several key plays down the stretch to propel his team to the win.

  • The game was played on February 17, 2026.
  • Iowa State mounted its 17-4 run over the final seven minutes of the game.

The players

University of Houston Cougars

The men's basketball team from the University of Houston, a Division I program that competes in the American Athletic Conference.

Iowa State Cyclones

The men's basketball team from Iowa State University, a Division I program that competes in the Big 12 Conference.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a battle against a very good Houston team, but our guys showed a lot of fight and resilience to come back and get this win.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Coach (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The loss drops Houston to 23-3 on the season, while Iowa State improves to 21-5. Both teams will continue their conference play schedules as they look to secure high seeds in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This game showcased the competitiveness and parity at the top of college basketball, with two highly ranked teams battling down to the wire. The Cougars' late collapse raises questions about their ability to close out tight games against elite opponents, while the Cyclones demonstrated their resilience and star power in pulling out the victory.